The Black Stars of Ghana have officially secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Comoros 1–0 in their final qualifying match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The victory seals Ghana’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament following previous participations in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
Mohammed Kudus was the hero of the night, scoring the decisive goal just two minutes into the second half to send the packed stadium into wild celebration.
The win means Ghana topped Group I with 25 points from 10 matches, recording eight wins, one draw, and one defeat to book an automatic place at next year’s World Cup in North America.
The game started cautiously as both sides probed for openings but found few clear chances in a tense first half.
Ghana, needing only a draw to qualify, showed patience and discipline, keeping possession and limiting Comoros’ attacks.
After the break, the breakthrough came from a well-executed move. Defender Mohammed Salisu delivered a measured cross to Thomas Partey, who teed up Kudus to finish calmly into an empty net — a goal that proved enough to settle the tie.
From that moment, the Black Stars took control of the match, defending resolutely against Comoros’ late pressure.
Every tackle, interception, and clearance drew cheers from the home crowd as Ghana’s backline stayed composed until the final whistle.
This latest qualification adds to Ghana’s growing legacy on the global stage. Since making their World Cup debut in 2006, the Black Stars have become one of Africa’s most consistent teams at the tournament.
Their best performance came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa, narrowly missing out on a historic semi-final spot after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Uruguay.
Across their World Cup history, Ghana have played 15 matches, winning five, drawing five, and losing five. They have scored 18 goals and conceded 20.
Asamoah Gyan remains the nation’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with six goals, followed by André Ayew with three, and Mohammed Kudus and Sulley Muntari with two each. Gyan also holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by a Ghanaian player, featuring 11 times across three tournaments.
The qualification once again highlights Ghana’s footballing pedigree, as the Black Stars become one of five African nations to confirm their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt.
The 2026 tournament will mark a historic first, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with an expanded format that will see more teams and matches than ever before.
For Ghana, this qualification represents another proud moment and a chance to make history once again on the world stage.
–
Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom |univers.ug.edu.gh